Semiautomatic label-applying machine



June 10,.1952 s. 'r CARTER SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet l June 10, 1952 s'. 'r. CARTER SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1950 June 10, 1952 s. T. CARTER SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 9, 1950 Jna'erzior fiar fier' June 10, 1952 I s. T. CARTER 2,600,205

SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 10, 1952 s. 1'. CARTER SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 9. 1950 M q CEra-M flit" 5.

frzaewr fz'drz y Z'arier June 10; 1952 s. 'r. CARTER SEMIAU'IOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE .11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 9, 1950 farier June 10, 1952 s. 'r. CARTER 2,500,205

SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 9. 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Qz'iZZe ZZwer June 10, 1952 s. T. CARTER 2,600,205

SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1950 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 June 10, 1952 s. T. CARTER 1 2,600,205

SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE I Filed June 9, 1950 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Jul/672x507 'z'drz ylaz'ier 5 02: 62W:

June 10, 1952 s. 'r. CARTER 2,600,205

SEMIAUTOMATIC LABEL-APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 9. 1950 ll Sheet-Sheet 10 I [06 l I Mqqlgmk S. T. CARTER SEMIAUTOMATIC LRBELAPPLYING MACHINE June 10, 1952 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed June 9. 1950 R QWRQQvQK K Patented June 10, 1952 SEETIAUTGMA'II'C LABEL=-APPLYING MACHINE $idney T. Carter, Worcester, Mass, assignon, by,

m sne assignm n to -.l-Mey r Manufacturing Co Cudahy, Wis., a corporation of-Wiscousin Arnlica ien lana 195 r Satin! Nit. :8. laims (C 2 This. invention pertains, tov labelingmachines. ofthe semi-automatic type, more especially. to a machine wherein the. label removed from the magazine byan adhesively-coated picker and then transferred from the picker to the article to. be labeled by a pneumatic or suction-type carrier. In the patent to Sjoberg No. 2,292,093 dated August 1, 19.42, there is described a machine. of the semi-automatictype wherein a pneumatic transfer carrier moves back and forth in a sub.- stantially horizontal rectilinear path and receives a. label from the pickerat. a; transfer station and then carries itthrough a. gumming-zone and then to. the. 1abel s, station. Whilev the patented machine is. very effective. it is. somewhat complicated. The gum receptacle and associated parts are not so readily accessible as is desirable to facilitate proper cleaning, and since thev gum is applied to the label after the latter has been transferred to. the carrier, some time is. lost in the gumming operation and thus the machine is not as rapid in operation asmight. be. desired.

One object of the present invention is to pro-, vide a labeling machine of the semi-automatic type which operates according to a novel cycle of movement. A further object is. to provide a labeling machine of semi-automatic type which is very simple in construction, comprising very few moving parts and which is rugged andcapable of operating at high speed and for long periods of time without. necessitat ng ostly repairs. or replacements. A further object is to provide a machine. in which the lengths of the paths of ovem t of he perative el ments a e e u to a minimum, thus. contributing to rapidity of operation and reduction in power required for driving the machine. A further object is to provide a labeling. machine of th semi-automatic type wherein the glue receptacle and associated parts are easily accessible and readily removable for cleaning and with a minimum of effort. A further object is to provide a machine of relatively small external dimensions and which is light in weight and thus readily movable from place to place, thus facilitating installation. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed description and by' reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine, omitting certain parts and with certain parts broken away;

Fig; 2 is an elevation of the right-hand side of the machine with certain parts omitted; other parts shown in broken lines, and others in vertical section;

F a. 3 is. a plan v ew f the machin er n parts being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section in the i m tri al' plane o the ma n. cam haf 0f the a n Fi 5 a ra m tar s d el vation to larger cale, of the t an fe carr age. and a ides;

ie- 61s a fr m ntary plan View it e Dar s shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a. diagrammatic side elevation of an ir pum w th e in ar i ve tical. s ction. and showing. the valv -actua ng art. and i s support;v

Fla s a ng tud na settle through the. slim box and it sup or s. om t ns. ot sr par s:

He 9 s a plan view of t e Har s h w; in Fig. 8;

F .0 s. a. dia rammat side e evation o he drive belt, and belt tightener;

Fig- 11. isv a iagramma ic i e le at on. part y in e ca ection. showin ame of. the, per v instr mentalities in he relat p it ons; h ch hey occu y at he ns an the. p cker is-Q11:- act. with h n mqst label. in t e m az ne;

F s- .2 is a s m lar V ew. b t show n the ii ser be ow he ck n ev l and w h. the a ist. r

i wa back; t ward: th s im. su p y:

Fi 3 s a s m ar vie how n he. c rrie at he a m st P i t n t pa h av l;

i ss- 1, o inc usiv are dia mmat c iew illustra ng, th qyo of o erations; f the picker and t ansf r carrie F 9 s ragme ary! s amma le a- 'cn par -1 n v l ec on; Sh w n -t e n cke cam andthe picker-actuating;levertogether with m ans i P vent ng ma qae a qn f the pi ker;

Fig. 20 is a view generally similar to Fig. 19 but showing the parts inthe position Of normal operation;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary; vertical section to lar er scale than Fig, 29. s w ng, cletail ioi he ec an sm. or m kin the picker' nonerati mg, 22 is a fragmentary elevation t arger s al F g. 19, sh wing, he or ard and. 129. ion of th p cker-actuating lever;

Fig- 2 s a. iraementary, ve t cal se tion ro h the sr rn rtion of t e icke -supre ng membe s owi g n de a l th connect ns ereby h mak r i remq bly' s cu e to t e su por sis a transverse ection-impu n gsumtransferroll' and its shaft; 7 a

Fig. 25' is a fragmentary elevation illustrating desirable means for holding thegum-transferroll in p ac Fig. 26 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating details of the means for actuating the label presser or wiper;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary, vertical section, to larger scale than Fig. 21, showing details of the arm which guides the sliding detent dog;

Fig. 28 is a side view, to larger scale than Fig. 21, showing the forked toggle lever;

Fig. 29 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, showing the devices of Fig. 26 viewed from the left-hand side of the latter; and

Fig. 30 is a diagram illustrative of the cycle of operation of the several essential parts of the machine.

As here illustrated, the machine embodying the invention has a frame comprising the upright side members I and 2 which would usually be castings, the lower portions of these side frames diverging from each other to provide legs 3 and 4. As illustrated in Fig. 2, these legs are provided with wheels 5 to facilitate the transfer of the machine from place to place. However, the wheels may be omitted if preferred.

The side frame members I' and 2 are provided with horizontal flanges 6 and I (Fig. 1) to which the base 8 of a drive motor 9 is bolted. This motor has the shaft to which is fixed the rooved drive pulley l l.

A cam shaft l2 (Fig. 4) turns in bearings l3 and [4 provided in the frame members I and 2, respectively, and to this shaft there is fixed the hub 15 of a cam disk IS, the hub 15 being interposed between the bearings l3 and M. In its lefthand face this cam disk has the cam groove II; it has another cam groove (8 in its right-hand face; the left and right portions I9 and of its peripheral surface constitute other cams, and intervening between these latter cam surfaces (9 and 20 there is an annular gear having the teeth 2!. The teeth of this gear mesh with a pinion 22 on a shaft 23 (Fig. 4) parallel to the shaft l2 and which turns in bearings 22 and 25 in the frame members I and 2, respectively. This shaft projects outwardly beyond the frame member I and is provided with a pulley 26 whose rim is furnished with a V-groove for the reception of a drive belt 28 (Fig. 1) which also passes around the pulley II on the motor shaft, as above described. Preferably the grooved rim 2! of the pulley 26 is shaped to constitute a handwheel by means of which the machine may be operated slowly by hand, if desired. The belt 28 passes beneath an idler pulley 29 (Figs. 2 and 10) and over an idler pulley 30, the pulleys 29 and 30 being mounted to turn on stub shafts carried by a rocker 3i, pivotally supported at 32 intermediate its ends. The rocker 31 has a bearing boss which receives a rotatable pin 33 having a diametrical, screw-threaded hole which receives the screw-threaded rear end of an adjusting shaft 34, the forward end of which is journaled in a bearing 35 (Fig. 2) integral with the frame member 2. A handwheel 35 (Fig. 2) is secured to the forward end of the shaft 34. By turning this handwheel, the member 3| is rocked and thus the belt 28 may be tightened or loosened. The belt is a V-type belt and the. pulleys H and 26 have V-grooves and are preferably of the type designed to permit a change in the effective diameter of the drive pulley by adjustment of the tightness of the belt. While this type of drive is convenient and desirable, it is to be understood that in respect to the other aspects of the invention, the particular form of drive is immaterial.

The shaft l2 (Fig. 4) extends to the right of the frame member 2 and on this extension of the shaft l2 there is fixed the hub 31 of a sprocket wheel 38 which drives a sprocket chain 39 (Fig. 2). This chain passes around a sprocket wheel 49 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), turning on a stub shaft 40 (Fig. 2) mounted on an L-shaped arm 4| having a bearing sleeve 42 at its rear end which turns on a fixed transverse shaft 52 hereafter described. A spring 43, bearing at its lower end on a bracket 44 projecting from the frame member 2, tends to swing the arm M in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) and thus to tension the sprocket chain 39.

The sprocket chain 39 normally meshes with and drives a sprocket wheel 45 fixed to a shaft 45 (Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 9) which turns in bearings 41 and 48 provided in the opposite side walls of a glue box 49. This glue box is conveniently an integral casting having forwardly extending fork members 50, each having a substantially horizontal slot 5| designed to receive a fixed stud or pin 52, one of which projects inwardly from each of the frame members I and 2, respectively (Fig. 1). At its rear end (Fig. 8) the glue box has a rearwardly projecting arm terminating in a downwardly open hook 53 which normally hangs over the transversely extending shaft 54. above mentioned, which is mounted at its opposite ends in the frame members I and 2, and on one end of which the sleeves 42, above described, is mounted. The bearing members 41 and 48 preferably have forwardly directed fork members 55, each having a slot open at its front end for the reception respectively of pivoted clamping studs 56 (Figs. 3 and 9) carried by .the glue box. A glue-elevating roll 5'! is fixed to the shaft 46, and, as the shaft is rotated, this glue-elevating roll dips into the body of adhesive within the glue box and raises it for presentation to the roll which applies glue to the picker, as hereafter described. Preferably, a scraper blade 58 (Fig. 8) is arranged within the glue box in order to insure a coating of glue or uniform thickness on the roll 51.

This glue box is not fixed in position but is merely supported by the pins 52 and the shaft 54. By lifting the hook 53 from the shaft 54 (after releasing the clamping studs 56), the glue box may be moved bodily rearward so as to withdraw the fork members at its forward end from the pins 52. The glue box is freely exposed at the upper rear part of the machine so that it may readily be removed without disturbing other portions of the machine and even while the machine is running, if desired. When the glue box is placed in operative position, the sprocket wheel 45 automatically engages the chain 39, and thus the roll 5'! is immediately started into operation as soon as the cam shaft begins to turn.

At the upper forward part of the frame, horizontally fixed and parallel guide rails 59 (Figs. 1 and 3) are arranged, one of these rails being secured to each of the frame members I and 2, respectively. These guide rails extend back from the label-applying station almost to the forward edge of the glue box, as shown, for example, in Figs. 2 and 3. These rails define a path for the label-transfer carriage 66 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) which slides from front to rear along these rails. A pin 65 (Fig.3) projects from each side of this carriage 69, and to each pin is pivotally connected the forward end of a link 6| (Fig. 3). The rear end of each link is piv-otally secured to the upper part of a long upright rock arm 52 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). One of these rock arms 52 (Fig. 1) is disposed at each side of the machine, outside of the 52 framemembers; I and 2 ,-res'pecti iie1y, the lower: ends of therbck arias-ea being; fixed tea-trans verse shaft 63 (Fig; 2) which turns in bearings in the frame members I and 2. An actuatin arm 64- (Figs.*1, 2- and 13) is rl xedv to the shaft 63 at a point; between the right-handface of the cam disk I'S- and the inner face or the frame member 2, and; at its upper end carries a stub shaft on which is mounted a cam follower roll 65 (Figs; 11, 13 andZO) which engages the cam" groove I8 in the right-hand side of the cam disk I flhiscam is or suchoontour' as to cause the label-transfer carriage to' move backwardly and f'dl W-ar-Hly' aldl'lg the guide rails 59111 the proper sequence relatively to th'e times of operation of the other'partsi- The label-transfer carriage Bii (Figs. 3; 5 and 6*) supports the pneumatic pick-mp plate or pad sewhich has asubstantially fiat-.horizontal under surface. This plate or pad 66' may be of the constructionmore fully disclosed in my copendirig. application for Letters Patent, Serial No; 166,503, filed June 6, 1950, but is here shown (Fig. 5) as provided witha multitude of verticalsuction orifices 61 which communicate with a chamber 58 within thebody of'the transfer carriage. This chamber 68 communicates, by means of a flexibleconduit it, which is attached to the left-hand actuating arm 62; with an airpump II (Figs; 1, 2, 3 and-7 which-ismounted' at the left-hand side ofthe machine outside of the frame member I As illustrated in Fi'g'; '7', this air pump 'I'I comprises a cylinder T2; which is open-at its bottom and within which slides a trunk: piston I3 having; a rod- T l which is pivoted" at its lower end to a fixed stub shaft l5= (Figs; 1 and 7) projecting outwardly from the frame member I. The cyl-- inder' 72 has a head 16' at its upper end, the head having an upwardly projecting boss 18 whose upper partforms a bearing Id for the reception ofan" eccentric pin I9 projecting from the lefthan'dend (Fig. 4) of cam shaft I2. A transverse air passage 80 in the part I8 extends through a nipple which receives the lower end of the flex ible conduit ID. A vertical air passage leadsifrom the space in cylinder I2, above the piston, to the air" passage 80. The left-handend of thep'a'ssage 8B is normallyclosed by a valve BI carried by alever 82 which is urged toward valveclosing posi: tionb'y' a spring 83;

A valve-actuating lever 8 (Fig. '7) is pivoted at 85 upon a fixed-stud, the lever 84resting upon an adiiustable eccentric disk 84* which determines the height ofthe free end of the lever. The free endof the lever" is positioned in the orbit of movement of the upper endof the valve lever I32 so that at the proper time, in the cycle of opera= t-ion, the end of lever 82 is engaged by the lever 84 and is thus swung so as to open the valve.

A- fiii'ed vertical bearing 86 (Figs. 1 and 2) is arranged midway between the frame members I and 2 with its' axis spaced forwardly from the forward edgeof the gum box; This bearing 86 provides a vertical guidewa-y for the vertically stem 8"! (Figs. 2, 11 and 23) of a picker supportingboss 88 which projects down from the horizontal picker plate 89.

As shown in Fig. 23, the boss 88 is hollow, and internally screw threaded and is integral with the picker 89. A clamping nut 86 turning freely on the upper end of the stem 87, has threaded engagement with the part 88 and is provided with a head 88*[by means of which itmay be turned. The stem 81 has spaced, peripheraigrooves which receive snap rihgs88 arid 88 Whenthe 'nut 6 83 engages the ring 88; rotation of the nut; will draw the icker boss 88? down into: firm-contact; With the upper end ot the stem- 87. By turning the nut B8- inthe otherdirection, the picker bc'sss 88' maybe freed fromthe stem. The: ring: 88? limit-s downward movement of the nut on the stern. By this means it readily possible-"to; exchangepicker platesfor others of dime tent sizes or: shapes.

The upper end of thestenr-S-T has-a radiaiislct se (Fig. 23) which r'eceives' a' pln188 rojecting down fromthe picker plate, thus preventing r813? tive rotation of the-ipickei-l and stem. The picker plate has a smoothly finished, horizontal upper surface designed to receive a coating of: glue,

Preferably; the rear edgeof the picker plate is beveledgas shown at'B A-t' its-lower end the stem 8-? is pivotallycon nected (Figs; 2 and H to the upper-end ofallnlc M whose lower endis pivoted to the forwardend" of a curved picker lever 93; having a hub? 93 (FigsA and 1-1) which turnso'n the shaft 23. The lever- 93 has a downwardly extending. arm: carrying a-c'a-m follower roll '95 which bearsagainstthe:

peripheral cam surface 28 of the cam disk. A

spring 95 (Fig, ll) tends, to swing: the arm193l. in aclockwise-direction and thus to move the picker upwardly towardthe magazine: M which is: arranged directly above the picker and in which label's L are held in the usual manner? by'the fingers- 91 The magazine may be of. conventional type with provision for adjusting; the fingers 9.1 to accommodate labels of different sizes, the magazine, being supported for vertical adjustment by a sleeve S (Fig. 2) which is adjustable vertically along a rod projecting upwardly from the.right hand framemember.-

The forward end of the arm 93 (that is to say; the left-hand end as viewed in Fig. 1 1)? is, provided with-a notch 98- (Fig. 22) designed to coopcrate with stop mechanism whereby the picking operation may be stopped temporarily, if. desired, although the machine may continue to operate. Such a mode of action may be desirable when starting the machine; up in order to insure a proper coating of adhesive on the picker before the latter is allowed to approach the magazine.

This stop mechanism (Figs. 19 to 22) comprises, parts which are supported by a rearwardly projecting shelf 99 (Fig. 20) which forms an integral part of a front plate mo (Fig. 1) which is bolted to the plate members I and. 2.- This shelf has spaced bearings for a shaft IIlI (Fig. 20) to which is fixed one end of alever I62 (Fig. 21) provided at one end with a horizontal portion Ill?! (below the-shelf 99) having a socket I03 in its outer face and an aperture below the socket. The socket I83 receives a ball I04 at theright-hand end of a rod I05 arranged to slide and rock in an opening I05 in a downwardly directed flange I01 forming part of the shelf 99. A compressionspring I93, embracing the rod I05, bears against a collar I09 on the rod I95 and urges the rod toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 21. A latch arm I03 has a hub I Iii which is loosely hung on the shaft. IBI, the hub I I0 having diametrically arranged radial shoulders I W (Fig. 27) which are engaged, respectively, by the ends of the parallel arms I II of a fork III (Fig. 28) having a stem 2 which slides in the aforesaid aperture in the part I02. A- coiled compression spring II3 embraces the stem i I2, one end of the, spring abutting thelpart. Iill and its other end engaging the, head of. the. fail; I: H The; parts m2; and, I thus, function.

acoaeoc;

as toggle links. The spring II3 urges the fork toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 21, and thus tends to hold the latch arm I08 in the position, relative to the lever I02, shown in Fig. 21. A hand lever D is fixed to the shaft IOI. By moving this hand lever, the arm I02 may be swung downwardly until the socket I03 in the part I02 is below the center line through the axes of the shaft IIlI and the aperture I06 in the part I03, whereupon the spring I08 becomes effective to snap the parts down to the position shown in Fig. 19. A stop H5, forming part of the lever I02, contacts the underside of shelf 99 when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 19, thus preventing over-throw of the hand lever.

A latch dog IIB (Fig. 21) mounted to slide between the front face of the latch arm I and a retaining plate II! which is secured in spaced relation to the arm I00 by bolts H8. This dog H6 has an acute lower edge I19 which, at times, may engage the notch 90 (Fig. 22) at the left-hand end of the lever 93. The dog H0 is connected by parallel links I20 (Fig. 19) to a lever arm I2I having a cam roll I2I (Fig. 2) arranged to engage cam path Ii in cam disk I0.

- During the normal operation of the machine, the hand lever D is in the rearward position shown in Fig. 20, and the lower edge of the locking dog I I6 is out of the path of the notched forward end of the lever 93 as the latter moves up and down a to actuate picker. During this normal operation, the dog I I6 is moved idly up and down along the arm I00 by the lever I2I. If at this time the handle D be moved forwardly, the lower edge I I 9 of the dog II-fi may contact the vertical face 90 (Fig. 22) just below the notch 00 in lever 93, but it can not enter the notch until member I It has been moved to engaging position by lever I21. This occurs at about 75 (see Fig. The cam 20, which operates the picker, is provided at one point in its periphery with a hump H (Figs. 12 and 20) of an arcuate extent of, for example, 30, whose effect is to move the picker lever 93 down to a point lower than that necessary for the performance of the picking cycle. The picker and presser operating cams are so timed that when the hump H of the picker cam has moved the notch 98 down to its lowest possible point, the lever I2I will have moved the dog H6 to its highest position, thus permitting the point I IS to enter or leave the notch.

The picker arm 93 is elevated by the spring 90 (Fig. 20) which is attached to an arm 93 integral with the picker arm 93, and is moved downwardly by the cam 20. When the latch dog III; is disengaged from the notch 98, under normal operating conditions, the picker lever 93 is free to move through its normal cycle. During its up-stroke, it pauses to transfer the label and receive glue from the roller I29, mounted on the carriage B0, and then drops slightly due to the hump H on the cam; then moves on up to the picking position to take a label from the magazine. It then moves down, bringing a label with it, to a point below glue-receiving and transfer position until carriage 60 has reached the rear end of its travel; the picker then rises with the label to transfer level, which is so close to the plane of the lower face of the transfer carriage that the label may be transferred pneumatically from the picker to the carriage.

However, if it be desired, for example, in starting the machine, to insure a good coating of glue on the picker before the latter is elevated to the picking position, the operator urges the handle D forwardly, and when the hump H of cam 20 positions the lever 93 at its lowest point, the dog H6 may enter into the notch 98, and the toggle linkage, comprising the parts I02 and I05, becomes effective to retain the handle D in the forward position until it is manually pushed back. As the cam 20 continues to turn, the spring 06 is unable to elevate the picker arm 03, the latter being held down by the dog IIG so that it can not rise higher than the glue-receiving level. So long as the handle D remains in this forward position and the machine continues to operate, the picker will rise to the level shown in Fig. 19 and receive glue at each cycle of operation, the gumapplying roll being able to contact the picker either at the transfer level (Fig. 14) or at the lower level shown in Fig. 19, but the picker will not be able to rise to take a label from the mechanism or to apply glue to the lower surface of the carriage. When the operator is sure that the picker has been provided with a good coat of glue, the operator will urge the handle D rearwardly, and when the picker lever 93 is at its lowest possible position, the dog II6 will be withdrawn from the notch 98 by action of spring H3, thus permitting resumption of normal operation. By the arrangement above described, it is impossible to place the parts in position for resumption of picking except when the several parts are at the proper relative position in the cycle of movement. Otherwise it might be possible to get the parts out of time so that the glue covered picker would rise and coat the underside of the transfer carriage with glue.

A bell-crank lever (Fig. 13) having a forwardly extending arm I09", is mounted to turn on the transverse shaft 50 which supports the rear part of the gum box. A bracket H0 is fixed to the forward end of the arm I09 and to this bracket is secured a cradle III which is designed to hold the article which is to be labeled. The cradle III is removably secured to the carrier IIll so that cradles of different types may be applied in accordance with the particular article to be labeled.

The bell-crank lever also comprises the downwardly extending arm II2 (Figs. 2 and 13) having a cam follower roll II3 at its lower end which engages the peripheral cam surface I9 of the cam disk IS. A spring I09 (Fig. 13) tends to raise the arm I09", the downward movement of the arm I09 being a positive movement by the action of the cam. Downward movement of the arm I09 is limited by contact of a part H4 of the bracket Ill! with the shelf 99.

A lever IIii (Figs. 2 and 12) is fulcrumed at its rear end on the left-hand end of rod 54 and at its forward end has a transversely extending part Ii'i to which is removably secured a presser or wiper device IIS This presser device IIB may be of any desired type proper to wipe and/or press the label into adhesive contact with the article supported at the labeling station. For example, it may be of the kind illustrated in the patent to SjobergyNc. 2,292,093, August 4, 1942, or it may be designed specifically to apply both wiping and direct pressing action to the label. The particular form of presser is immaterial to the present invention.

A lever I20 (Figs. 2, 12 and 20) has a hub I22 (Figs. 1 and 4) which turns on the shaft 23. At its forward end the lever has a transversely extending portion i2l (Fig. 26) provided with a horizontal, axial bore which receives a the gum transfer roll 9 of the arm I26 is provided with a -vertical screw-threaded bore for the reception of a man- 9 shaft I23. This shaft has a peripheral groove whichreceives -a setscrew I23 (Fig. .26) which holds the shaft I23 .in place in the part L2H.

:Atits left-hand end (Fig. 26) the shaft I23 has .vided at .its rear end with a vertical slot .IZ'I

(Fig. .12) open at its upper end and which is designed .to receive a trunnion I28 projecting from one end, respectively, of the glue-applying roll I29 above referred to. With this arrangement the roll I29 is free to rise and fall relatively to the transfer carriage.

.-An alternative arrangement for removably mounting the shaft of the gum-transfer roll in the transfer carriage is illustrated in Fig. .25.

.In this view, one of the rearwardly extending arms .I26 of the transfercarriage is-shown as providedat itsrear end with a downwardly and .rearwardly directed finger 288 having a substantially horizontal upper surface forming-the floor of a horizontal recess 2.8Iof. a vertical depth .sufiicient to receive the shaft I28 (Fig. 24) on which turns the hollow core or sleeve I 29* of The end portion .ually adjustable screw 28W having a conical tip .282 which may be forced .into contact with the shaft I28 so as :to prevent the shaft from rotating. By retraction of the screw 28W, the roll may readily be removed from the carriage.

The-gum-applying roll I29 should be resiliently yieldable to a high degree, and for this reason it is preferably of the construction shown in .detail in Fig. 24. The .roll, as thus shown, comprises a tubular metallic -.core 129 which is mounted to turn on the shaft I28, and a cylindrical body portion I29 of rubber .molded about the core. In order toobtain thedesired degree of resilient yieldability, the body of rubber-is so molded as-to have one or more annular series of longitudinally extending holes I29 As here shown, two concentric series of .holes are provided, the holesof the inner series bein ofrsmaller diametersthan'those of the-other series. -With this arrangement a very soft and yielding roll is provided which is highly effective in spreading a uniform .coating of adhesive over the pioker plate.

The gum-transfer roll is designed to .apply gum to the picker when the latter is at the normal transfer level and also when the picker is at the preliminary gumminglevelat which itis positioned during the starting'of the machine. Thus, the roll must be capable of rising and falling as illustrated in Fig. -1-2, or of a very substantial degree of radicalcompression, as shown inFig. 24, to enableit :to 'contactthe picker in :both :of these positions.

Operation The operation of the machine :may be best understood by reference to certain of the steps taken in sequence. Assume that the machine .is

.in operation, that the magazine :has been sup- 18 plied with labels, that a bottle Ahas been placed in the article-receiving cradle, that the gum box has beensupplied with gum, and that the uppersurface .of the picker plate 89 has also .received a coating of gum (the handle Dbeingin the forward position). The :cycle of operations may be considered as starting with the partsas shown in the position of Fig. 1.1. In this position, the label transfer carriage Iii! is .at the labeling station, disposed directly above the article A-resting on the cradle I I I At this time the cradle II I is in its lowest position with the part .I I4 contacting shelf 99. .At the same time, .the picker has been raised tothe maximum elevation, and the gum coated picker plate '89 :is ..contacting the lowermost of the labels 'L .in the .magazincM. It will also be noted that .a-label .L' is adhering to the underside of the suction .plate 88 of the pneumatic transfercarriage. The .next step -.is illustrated in Fig. .16. Thercradle -I I-I has been raised by the actiontof thecam 'I,-9.-so"as to bring the surface of the article Ainto contact with the :aclhesively coated label .L'. The picker isstill in the picking position. The

. .result of the :nextistep is shown inFig. 12. flfhe label L .now rests upon the article A, while the cradle I'II has resumed its :normal low position; the picker :89 has moved downwardly to .its .lowest'normal position where it is too low to :be contacted by the gum-transfer roll I29 and the transfer carriage 88 is on its 'wayback toward-the igum box. Itmay be noted that at this particular point :thepresser Ilil is on its way down andiis just clear of the forward portionof the transfer carriage, the timingof the parts being :such "as :to allow aminimum clearance, thus saving time in operation.

.As shown .in Fig. :17, the picker is still in :its lowermost normal position, the transfer -;carriage has moved a little further to the rear, and *the presser 119 has E'moved down-into contact with the label L :and is pressing the latter firmly "against the bottle A. At this time "the cradle is rigidly-supported (as shown iniFig. "13) by contact of thepart I I 4 with'the shelf 199.

Referring now to "Figs. "13 and 118, the labeled bottle has been removed from the cradle I'I I and the latter '-is ready to receive another bottle. The presser I lfl'hasmoved up to'its idle position; the-picker is still too low-to contact the'transfer carriage, and the latter has moved rear-wardiy to the end of its rearward stroke, bringing the .applying roll I 92 into contact with the glueelevating'roll 5'1. :Thelatter roll-is rotatingand thus causes the roll I29 -to-turn while applying a coating of glue to its peripheral surface.

The .picker nowrises, (carrying with itthat .label .L which .it has last removed from the .magazine), to .the transfer and gum-receiving level, the label being new disposed directlybelow .theplane of .thelcwer surface of the suction plate 5.6 .of the transfer carriage. As the carriage starts forwardly, suction is created by pump "II at the suctionoriflcesfil (Fig. 5) soth'at' the label preferentially .adheres .to the transfer carriage. Thelatter .drags the .label with it, slidingthe' '.label..off of thegummed upper surface of the pickenandiin doing so insures'a uniform distribution of '.the glue coating over the label. Before the .labelphas'been completely removedi'from the upper surface of the picker plate, the'roll I29 (Fig. .14) has come in contact with the rear .margin of thegplate 9 (riding up over the beveled .rearmarginB of theplate) and, as the'oarriage ing the latter and applying its glue-coated surface to the lowermost label in the magazine at about the time the carriage reaches the labeling station, as shown in Fig. 11, thus completing the cycle.

In terms of a complete revolution of the cam shaft (Fig. and assuming a zero degree starting point, with the transfer carriage and picker at the transfer station, during the first of rotation of the cam shaft, the picker remains at the transfer level and the piston 13 is moving and starting to create a vacuum in the cylinder [2. At this time the presser is dwelling at its uppermost position. Between 60 and the picker moves down slightly, but between 75 and and 130 it moves to the picking level; meantime the carriage continues forwardly to the position (which is the labeling position), and between 75 and the cradle rises to bring the article A into contact with the label which is adherent to the underside of the transfer carriage. The cradle dwells between 120 and maximum vacuum is obtained at about 80, and at that point the valve-actuating lever 82 (Fig. 7) contacts the lever 84, thus opening the valve 81 and breaking the vacuum at the pad 65, thus freeing the label which now rests on the upper surface of the article A. The transfer carriage dwells between 90 and 155; the cradle starts down at approximately 125 and reaches its normal low level at 172 where it dwells during the remainder of the cycle.

At about the picker begins to descend and reaches its lowest normal level at about 185. The carriage starts back toward the transfer point at about just escaping the downwardly moving presser H8. The latter descends and contacts the label on the article between 235 and 265 and then returns to its uppermost position where it dwells during the remainder of the cycle. The picker begins to rise at about and continues to rise up to 230 where it is at the transfer and gum-receiving level, where it dwells throughout the remainder of the cycle. Relative motion of the piston and cylinder starts to build up vacuum at about 260, sucking in air through the ports 61 until the ports are covered by the label as the picker arrives at the transfer level at 230.

The cycle of operations is very simple, and there is almost no loss of time in waiting for any one operation to be completed before some other step in the operation begins. Thus, as noted, the label is not fully stripped from the picker before a new coating of glue begins to be applied to the picker. In the same way the empty transfer carriage, in starting rearwardly, barely escapes the downwardly moving presser device, and, in making its up and down stroke, the picker passes through the transfer station but without interference with the carriage while the latter is completing its forward movement, and descends to a level to avoid contact with the carriage as the latter returns to the transfer station. The machine is thus capable of operating at very high speed, but, as the paths of movement are short, there is little tendency to set up heavy vibrations and the machine operates general type, and may be built at reasonable cost. The gum box with its appurtenances is readily removable for cleaning and easy of replacement without dismantling the machine or even requiring the removal of any attaching or connecting elements. The magazine is easily accessible and the speed ofthe machine is readily changed without recourse to complicated speed reduction gear trains or similar devices. Moreover, the temporary cessation of picking, to insure a proper coating of the picker in starting up, can not possibly result in getting the parts out of proper time.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has been illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in a labeling machine having a magazine and a picker, means guiding the picker to move in a rectilinear path, means for holding the picker stationary while gum is being applied to it, means for moving the picker toward the magazine to bring. its gum-coated surface into contact with the endmost label in the magazine, means operative to move the picker with its adhering label back to the gum-receiving position, and means operative to remove the label from the picker while the latter dwells at the gumreceiving position. v

2. In combination, in a labeling machine of the kind having a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a transfer carrier movable in a substantially horizontal path intersecting that of the picker, means for causing the picker to dwell in a position immediately below the path of the carrier, means to move the carrier along its path toward a label-applying station and to cause it to dwell directly above the picker while a label on the picker is being gripped by the carrier, the carrier then moving toward the applying station, and means operative to apply gum to the picker while it continues to dwell in the transfer position, after the label has been transferred to the carrier.

3. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind having a magazine, a picker movable along a substantially vertical path toward and from the magazine, means for applying adhesive to the picker, a transfer carrier movable in a path intersecting that of the picker, means for causing the picker to dwell in a position immediately below the path of the carrier, means operative so to move the carrier back and forth along its path that it dwells in registry with the picker while a label on the picker is gripped by the carrier, then moves along its path to a label-affixing station and then reverses its direction and returns to the transfer point, and means operative to depress the picker during the return travel of the carrier thereby to prevent contact of the carrier and the adhesively coated picker.

4. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind having a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a transfer carrier movable in a path intersecting that of the picker, means for causing the picker to dwell in a position immediately below the path of the carrier, means operative so to move the carrier back and forth along its path so that it dwells in registry with the picker while the picker rises to permit a label carried by the picker to be "l3 gripped by the carrier, then moves to a labelamxing station and then reverses its direction of movement and returns to the transfer station, a p'icker-gumming roll mounted .on the carrier and which applies jgum to the picker as the carrier leaves the transfer point in moving toward the label-affixing station, and means operative to move the picker to a position such as to prevent contact of the gumming roll and the picker as the carrier moves in the reverse direction.

5. In a labeling machine, a transfer carrier which moves back and forth in a rectilinear path between a gum supply and a labelingstation, a picker which moves in a rectilinear path intersecting that of the carrier, a magazine arranged to deliver a label to the picker at one end of'the path of movement of the latter, means for moving the carrier and picker along their respective paths and to cause them to dwell at a transfer station at the intersection of the picker and carrier paths where the carrier receives-a'label from the picker, and means operative to apply adhesive to the picker while it dwells at said station.

6. In combination in a labeling machine, a picker, means for sliding a label from off the picker, and means for applying a coating of adhesive to the picker concomitantly with the removal of the label from the latter.

'7. In a labeling machine, in combination, a picker, means operative to pull a label from off the picker in such a way as progressively to expose an increasing "area of the picker, and

means operative to apply adhesive to the picker as the surface of the latter is exposed by the withdrawal of the label.

p 8. In combination in a labeling machine, a picker-having a substantially flat surface for the reception of adhesive, a carrier operative to grip a label'resting on the adhesively coated surface of the picker and to remove the label from the picker by'sliding the'label parallel to the surface of the picker, and adhesive spreading means operative progressively to apply adhesive to the surface of the picker as said surface is progressively exposed by removal of the label.

'9. In a labeling machine, in combination, a picker having a label-supporting surface, a carrier operative to grip a label resting on the supporting surface of the'picker, means for moving the carrier, while it grips the label, so as to slide the'label over the picker surface and across one edge of the latter until the label is'completely removed from the picker, and a gum-applying device which follows-the carrier and which starts to apply adhesive to the picker surface, beginning at the opposite edge of the latter, before the label has been completely removed 'from'the picker.

'10. In combination in a'labeling machine, a magazine for labels so arranged'that the lowermost label is substantially horizontal, "a movable picker and means for guiding it in a vertical path toward and from the magazine, a movable transfer carrier "and'means for moving it in 'a horizontal path intersecting the path 'of the picker, means for moving the picker to and from the magazine and for causing it to dwell at a "transfer level, a gum supply, 'a gum-applying devicemounted on the carrier, means, including a cam, operative to move the carrier to a position-where the gum-applying'device receives gum from the supply, and then to move'the carrier relatively to the picker to strip 'thelabelfrom theplcker while the igumeapplylng devlceis concomitantly applying gum to the picker.

11. In combination in a labeling machine, a transfer carrier operative to .grip and-to remove a gummed label from a picker, and means -con-- nected to the transfer carrier for applying gum to the picker as the label is removed from the latter.

12. In combination'in'a labeling machine having a magazine, a picker and a transfer carrier for'moving a label from the picker-to a labeling station, means mounted on the transfer carrier for applyinggum to the picker.

1 3. In combinationin a labeling machine having a magazine, a picker and a transfer carrier, a gum-transfer roll supported by the carrier.

14. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind wherein a label carrier moves back and forth along a predetermined substantially horizontal path, a picker to which adhesive is applied, a gum-supplying reservoir, and agum-applying roll mounted on the carrier and which is operative, as the carrier moves along its path, to transfer gum from the supply to the picker.

15. In a labeling machine, in combination, a magazine for labels, a picker, a transfer carrier, means for movin the transfer carrier back and forth along a predetermined path, means, including a cam, for moving the picker in a path which intersects the path of the carrier at sub stantially right angles, the means for moving-the picker being so constructed and arranged as to cause the picker to dwell at a transfer station at which the label carried by the picker is gripped by the carrier, a'gum supply, and means mounted on the transfer carrier which first removes gum from the supply, and which thereafter deposits the gumupon the picker while the latter dwells "at the transfer station.

16. In combination ina labeling machine,- a magazine for labels, a picker which moves in a path substantially perpendicular to the surface of the endmost label in the magazine, a transfer carrier which moves in a path which intersects 1e path of the picker, means for mOVing the picker and for causing it to dwell at a transfer station at which the carrier grips a label mounted on the picker, means for moving the carrier along its path away from the transfer station carrying the label with it, and a gum-applying device mounted on the carrier and which is operative to apply a coat of gum to thepickerwvhile the latter dwells at the transfer station.

17. In a labeling machine, in combination, a

picker having a label-supporting surface, "a car rier operative togrip a label resting on'the supporting surface of the picker, means for moving thecarrier while it grips the label, so as to slide the label over the pickersurface across one edge of the latter until the label .is completely vremoved from the picker, and a gum-applyingdevice connected to the carrier and which applies gum to the pickersurfaceas the latter is being exposed by removal .of the .label, the application of gum beginning at the opposite edge of the picker.

18. Ina labeling machine, in combination, a carrier guided to move in a pre'determinedpath between a' label-applying station and agum supply, amagazine :for'labels, a picker guided to move toward and ."from the magazine in .a ,path which intersect-s that of the carrier, picker-actuating means, including a cam, for advancing Ithepicker toward, the'magazine to receive a"label from the letter, said picker-actuating means being so constructed and arranged as to move the picker away from the magazine and cause it to dwell at a point such that the carrier may intersect the path of the picker, without contact with the picker, on its way toward the gum supply, the picker-actuating means being operative to move the picker to a transfer station and to cause it to dwell there while the carrier grips the label carried by the picker, and a roll, supported by the carrier operative first to take gum from the supply and then, while the picker dwells at the transfer station, to apply gum to the picker.

19, In combination in a labeling machine of the kind wherein a label carrier moves back and forth along a predetermined path, a picker to which adhesive is applied, a gum-supplying reservoir, the carrier having open-ended slots for the reception of a roll supporting shaft, a shaft mounted in said slots and removable at will therefrom, and a gum-applying roll mounted on the shaft and which is operative to take gum from the supply and, as the carrier moves along its path, to apply the gum to the picker.

20. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind wherein a label carrier moves back and forth along a predetermined path, a pick-er to which adhesive is applied, a gum-supplying reservoir, the carrier having substantially horizon tal open-ended slots for the reception of the opposite ends, respectively, of a roll-supporting shaft, means for releasably securing a roll-supporting shaft within said slots, and a gum-applying roll mounted to turn freely on said shaft and operative to take gum from the supply, and as the carrier moves along its path, to apply the gum to the picker.

21. In a labeling machine, in combination, a transfer carrier guided to move back and forth in a predetermined path between a gum supply and a labeling station, the gum supply comprising a receptacle for fluid adhesive and a driven roll which dips in the adhesive, and a gum-applying device mounted on the carrier and which contacts said driven roll when the carrier is at one end of its path of movement, the carrier being constructed and arranged to remove a label from the picker and to carry it to the labeling station.

22. In combination in a labeling machine comprising means operative to move a transfer carrier back and forth along a rectilinear path from a gum-receiving and transfer station to a labelaiiixing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker moves transversely across the plane of movement of the carrier and after receiving a label from a magazine crosses the plane of movement of the carrier and dwells at the transfer station while its label is taken by the carrier, a gum-applying roll mounted on the carrier and which is operative to apply gum to the picker as the carrier moves along its path toward the label-afiixing station, said gum-applying roll comprising a cylindrical body of rubber provided with a series of passages extendin through it from end to end and which are radially spaced from the axis of the roll,

23. In combination in a labeling machine comprising means, including a cam, operative to move a transfer carrier back and forth along a recti linear path from a gum-receiving and transfer station to a label-affixing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker receives a label from a magazine and dwells at the transfer station while its label is taken by the carrier, a gum-applying roll mounted on the carrier and which is operative to apply gum to the picker as the carrier moves along its path, said gum-applying r011 comprising a cylindrical body of rubber provided with a plurality of concentric series of passages extendll'lg through it from end to end, the passages of one series being of greater diameter than those of the other, the roll being highly resilient and readily yieldable in response to pressure.

24. In combination in a labeling machine wherein means, including a power-driven rotary cam, moves a transfer carrier back and forth along a rectilinear path from a gum-receiving and transfer station to a label-affixing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker receives a label from a magazine and dwells at the transfer station while its label is taken by the carrier, a gumapplying roll mounted on the carrier and which is operative to apply gum to the picker as the carrier moves along its path, said gum-applying roll comprising a hollow, rigid shaft and a cylindrical body of rubber molded about said shaft, said body of rubber having internal chambers whereby the roll is resiliently yieldable to a high degree.

25. In combination in a labeling machine wherein a rotary cam moves a transfer carrier back and forth along a rectilinear path from a gum-receiving and transfer station to a labelafllxing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker receives a label from a magazine and dwells at the transfer station while its label is taken by the carrier, a gum-applying roll mounted on the carrier and which is operative to apply gum to the picker as the carrier moves alon its path, said roll being highly resilient and capable of applying gum to the picker while the latter is at the transfer level and also while it is at another level.

26. In a machine of the class described having in combination an adhesive-type picker, means for moving the picker in a predetermined path toward and from a magazine and which normally causes the picker to dwell at an adhesive-receiving level as it moves along said path, a roll for applying adhesive to the picker while the latter dwells at said receiving level, means operative to move the applying roll bodily in a path which intersects that of the picker, thereby to spread adhesive over the picker while the latter is stationary at said receiving level, said roll being actuated uninterrup-tedly cycle after cycle during the normal machine operation, and manually controlled means for holding the picker at another gum-receiving level during a plurality of successive cycles and while the roll passes across it one or more times.

27. In combination in a labeling machine comprising means operative to move a transfer carrier back and forth along a path from a. gum-receiving and transfer station to a label-affixing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker receives a label from a magazine and dwells at the transfer station while its label is taken by the carrier, 2, gum-applying roll mounted on the carrier and which applies gum to the picker, picker-actuating means normally operative to move the picker toward and from the magazine, and means operative, at times, to prevent the picker from appreaching the magazine but to permit it to reach a gum-receiving position while the carrier continues to move back and forth. 7

28'. In combination in a labeling machine comprising means, including a cam, operative to move a transfer carrier back and forth along a substantially rectilinear path from a gum-receiving and transfer station to a label-afiixing station and then back to the gum-receiving and transfer station, and wherein a picker receives a label from a magazine and dwells at a transfer level while its label is taken by the carrier, a gum-applying roll mounted on the carrier, said roll being constructed and arranged to apply gum to the picker, during the motion of the carrier in one direction, while the picker is at the transfer level, or alternatively when it is at another level, picker-actuating means normally operative to move the picker from the magazine to the transfer level, and means operative, at times, to move the picker to said other level while the carrier continues to make gum-applyingstrokes.

29. In combination in a labeling machine, a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a spring tending to move the picker toward the magazine, a cam operative to move the picker away from the magazine, and manually controlled means to prevent approach of the picker to the magazine.

30. In combination in a labeling machine, a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a spring tending to move the picker toward the magazine, a cam-actuated part operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a stop engagable with said part to limit movement of the picker toward the magazine, and manually controlled means for moving said stop into and out of operative position.

31. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind wherein a rotating shaft, through the intermediary of appropriate mechanism, causes a gum-coated picker to take a label from a magazine and carry it to a transfer position where it is taken by a carrier, and a gum applying device operative to coat the picker with gum preparatory to the picking operation, manually controlled interrupter means operative to prevent the picker from reaching the transfer position although the shaft continues to rotate, and control means operative to prevent such action of the interrupter means except when the picker and carrier mechanisms occupy a predetermined relative relation.

32. In a machine of the class described having in combination an adhesive type picker, means for moving the picker in a predetermined path toward and from a magazine and which normally momentarily stops the picker at an adhesive-receiving level as it moves along said path, a device for applying adhesive to the picker while it dwells at said receiving level, means for actuating the applying device uninterruptedly cycle after cycle during the normal operation of the machine, and manually actuable means operative to detain the picker at another level at which it likewise receives adhesive from the applying device during a plurality of cycles of operation of the machine.

. 33. In combination in a labeling machine, a magazine, a picker adapted to carry a label from the magazine to a transfer point, a spring tending to move the picker toward the magazine, a cam-actuated lever operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a rock-arm supporting a slidable detent which is engageable, at times, with a notch in said cam-actuated lever thereby to limit movement of the picker toward the transfer point, a rotary shaft having mounted thereon a cam for actuating the picker-operating lever, said cam having an active portion operative, during a predetermined limited arc of rotation of the shaft, to locate the picker-actuating lever in a position in which the detent may enter or leave the notch, and another cam-actuated part for reciprocating the slidable detent along its supporting rock-arm thereby, when the detent is engaged with said notch, to-prevent the picker from reaching the transfer point although the cam shaft continues to rotate, and manually actuable means for swinging the rock-arm to move the detent toward or from notch-engaging position.

34. In combination in a labeling machine of the kind wherein a rotating shaft through the intermediary of appropriate mechanism, causes a gum-coated picker to take a label from a magazine and move it to a transfer station where it is gripped by a movable carrier, and an applying device operative to coat the picker with gum preparatory to the picking operation, manually controlled interrupter means operative to prevent the picker from arriving at the transfer station while permitting it to take a gum-receiving position while the shaft continues to rotate, said interrupter means comprising a stop element movable into the path of a part of the pickeractuating mechanism, and means operative to prevent engagement or disengagement of said stop element and part except within a predetermined limited arc of the shafts rotation.

35. In combination in a labeling machine, .a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a spring tending to move the picker toward the magazine, a cam-actuated lever operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a stop member engageable with said lever to limit movement of the picker toward the magazine, a manually actuable handle for moving the stop toward and from operative position, and automatic means for holding the stop in the position in which it is placed by actuation of the handle.

36. In combination in a labeling machine, a magazine, a picker movable toward and from the magazine, a spring tending to move the picker toward the magazine, a cam-actuated lever operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a stop member engageable with said lever to limit movement of the picker toward the maga- 1 3'7. In combination in a labeling machine, a

magazine, a picker adapted to carry a label from the magazine to a transfer point, means for moving the picker toward the magazine, a camactuated part operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a lever arm carrying a detent which is engageable, at times, with said camactuated part thereby to limit movement of the picker toward the transfer point, a handle for rocking said lever to move the detent toward operative position, and a spring-loaded toggle linkage operative to hold the handle temporarily in the position to which it is moved.

38. In combination in a labeling machine, a magazine, a picker adapted to carry a label from the magazine to a transfer point, means for moving the picker toward the magazine, a cam and a lever actuated thereby operative to move the picker away from the magazine, a rock-arm carrying a detent which is engageable, at times, 

